Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/330



Alden proceeded as directed and with so little noise that the crack of his rifles was the first intimation the Indians had of the approach of an enemy. Although surprised, they made a vigorous resistance from behind fortifications of logs, being well supplied with arms and ammunition. Their camp being surrounded by dense thickets, it was difficult and dangerous to charge them, and from this cause and the nature of the ground it was impossible for the flanking party to turn their left as designed, but it engaged them on the right. After the first fire the volun teers took cover behind trees and fought in true Indian style, the battle becoming general.

When Lane arrived on the ground he found Colonel Alden dangerously wounded, having been shot down early in the fight. Leaving him to the care of his men, 1 Lane made an examination of the ground and finding the In dians securely posted, gave the order to charge, himself leading the movement. When within thirty yards of their line, he was struck by a rifle ball in his right arm near the shoulder. Believing the shot to have come from the flank, he ordered the line extended so as to prevent its being turned by the enemy, and the men to again take cover behind trees, where they fought with cool deter mination for several hours.

Finding himself growing weak from loss of blood, Lane had retired to the rear to have his wound dressed. The Indians, meantime, having discovered his* identity, called out to the volunteers that they were tired of war, and de sired to talk with " Jo Lane." On Lane s return to the front he held a conference with his officers on the subject of holding a council with the Indians. It was evident they were well armed, and held a position nearly, if not quite, impregnable. There were two opinions advocated, one that the Indians really desired peace, and another that they were seeking an advantage. The question of allowing the Indians an opportunity to talk was put to

1 Alden died two years afterwards from the effect of this wound.